The Association of Female Politicians, AFP, in Ondo state has called on political parties to reserve the deputy governor slot for a woman comes 2020 gubernatorial election in the state.

The association made the call while addressing journalists in Akure in reaction to the declining rate of female representation in both elective and appointive positions in the state.

President of the association, Mrs. Janet Adeyemi frowned at the level of insentivity to gender equality being practiced in the state, noting that it’s high time the association rose and speak against the development.

She noted that the decision of AFP to address journalists is not a protest but aimed at sensitising the public about the need for women’s participation in politics and governance.

In their Communique which was read by an immediate past Commissioner for women affairs in Ondo state, and two terms member of the Lagos state House of Assembly, Mrs. Olawumi Ohwovoriole, AFP called on governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, to increase the number of female appointees into key positions.

The Communique reads: “we conducted a historical scan of the political participation of women in Ondo state and Nigeria at large and observed that over the 20 year period from 1999-2019, Ondo State women have continued to witness abysmal representative percentages across the state.

“In elective offices and legislative arm, the highest representation ever attained by women in Ondo state was 11% in 2011 with three women elected to State House of Assembly, as against the recommended 35% affirmation, which is operative under the law.

“This unacceptable low representation further reduced, drastically, to 3.8 % with just one female representative presently in the State House of Assembly, and NONE in the Federal House of Assembly and the Senate.

“The same trend is observed in the state allocation of appointments through which persistently few women are allowed the golden opportunity of service to their state and nation relative to the men in spite of the tireless political participation of women in Ondo State.

“In Ekiti State, Ondo State immediate neighbour, the male-female ratio in appointment and elective positions is almost 1:1.The present Ekiti State was originally part of Ondo State, created on 3rd of February 1976 from the former Western State, before it was cast out in 1996.

“Despite the fact that Nigeria is a signatory to several International instruments affirming women’s rights and equality with men (World Bank, 1994), and the high level of education of Ondo State citizens, it is unfortunate that the state is among the most gender insensitive states in Nigeria.
Party Structures in Ondo State has done nothing to encourage gender inclusion in its polity.

“Currently, Ondo state ranks high among the states where very few women have participated in the management of Nigerian public institutions such as Political Parties, Legislative Assemblies and Executive Councils, which are depicted as “male clubs”.

“Across the world, the global trend reflects a close connection between female participation in governance and national development. This is observable in African countries such as Rwanda and Ethiopia where rapid socio-economic development is witnessed after the deliberate policy implementation on female participation.

“This is a call for urgent action by the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration to follow the trend of other African Nations who have entrenched women leadership as a way of governance and are currently reaping the huge benefits rapid development and growth in all sectors of social and economic life.

“Association of Female Politicians, Ondo State Chapter is, therefore, calling on all State Governors across the nation to entrench the Affirmative Action through adequate appointment of women into key political offices in places where there is a shortfall in female elective representation.

“Finally, we call on the leadership of Ondo State Government, Arakunrin Odunayo Akeredolu to hearken to the voice of women in the state and ensure a change of this negative narrative, which has led to lack of political interest and created sense of injustice and marginalization in women in the state.

“We implore the Governor to see women as partners in progress in the state, and insist on massive increase in appointment of credible women into key political offices.